Okada riders take hostage; beat up Company Commander in Fundong
Unemployment in must of Cameroon has opened a thriving trade in motor-bike transportation
By Deng Eric Meleh
Cameroon Journal, Fundong, Nov. 26 – Company Commander of the National Gendarmarie for Boyo in the North West Region, Captain Pasale Ernest had a very difficult day today, Wednesday Nov.26th, following a clash with bike riders, popularly known as Okada, in the division's chief town of Fundong.
In what appeared to have been a meticulously planned people's coup against the Captain by the Okada riders, vexed over the Captain's decision to impound a bike carrying zinc during the evening hours of Monday Nov.24th and requesting the sum of 25.000FCFA for kick-backs before he could release the bike and zinc, the riders took the laws into their own hands and barricaded the main road in Fundong central town at about 11am, vowing not to let go until the captain releases the bike and zinc.
The rider whose bike was impounded masterminded the protest. He said that the owner of the zinc was on his neck pressuring him to produce his zinc and that he was adamant to the fact his bike too was in the keeping of the Company Commander.
When Captain Pasale got news of the riders'action, he rushed to the scene and began giving orders for the road to be cleared. The riders, who insisted that the road will only be cleared on grounds that he releases the zinc, beat up the Captain when he tried using force. As the beating began, he removed his gun threatening to shoot but the riders warned him, stating if he did, they will kill him and set his office ablaze.
The administration of Boyo was immediately informed of the situation and Manchang Nicholas, the SDO and his Second Assistant immediately rushed to the scene accompanied by the D.O for Fundong, Commissioner of Special branch Boyo, Superintendent of Fundong Principal Prison, the Mayor and others.
The riders, who were bent on having the zinc released to the owner, had, however, taken the Captain hostage before the arrival of SDO Manchang and his delegation. He rebuked the riders suggesting "no matter what, you have no right to take the law into your hands, and more especially on a security officer. If you lay your hands on him then you have beaten the state." he intimated. He succeeded in bringing some order but the riders insisted the excesses of the Company Commander must be checked.
One of the riders who talked to the Journal narrated how "this man (the captain) has been disturbing us since he came to Boyo. Can you imagine he goes out for control and takes 500frs every time from everybody on the road? He even went as far as taking my colleague's phone who could not settle the control, saying, when he pays, the phone will be returned to him."
The SDO for Boyo has convened a crisis meeting in Fundong on Nov. 27 to address the issue.
